Malibu Touch Command screen delamination

[pawter1970]

This has been said already but how crazy is this that we buy expensive boats and that the only solution to a defective electrical screen by Medalion/Malibu is to rely on good hearted engineers to design a complete dashboard panel to replace it...........This is insane!!!!!! 

Now one day when you want to sell your boat you'll have to explain that to the buyer: "This use to be a touch screen but after a few years they don't work anymore and are too expensive to replace"

Malibu has let us down big time on this one, I've been a Malibu dude to the core for the past 12 years but how can you not look at other boat brands after seing this topic. 

[Malibro22]

52 minutes ago, windy1 said:

So I have now successfully eliminated my touch screen by installing the Wakeswitches Consoles panel and I am convinced this is the best permanent option currently available for the screen delam problem.

Install took about an hour and is mostly plug and play. I have a simpler version as I have no Surf gate, docking lights, heater or underwater lights and already had a remote key installed. All switches work great and the craftsmanship is top notch.

The one issue I did find (it’s really a work around more than an issue) is the switches don’t interface with the pre-sets. All the pre-sets are fully functional but you can’t override them with the switches like you could with the touch screen. I only found this out because I have a tank that’s not registering so I had to work around the pre-sets for that tank. I’m still playing with it but for me it’s not a big deal. More of a getting used to type thing. Also it fixed my blower problem. I had to turn the blower on manually even after re-programing and with the new panel it comes on with the power like it should. Overall I am very pleased.

The biggest asset here for me is the peace of mind in knowing that I will never have to buy another touch screen. I can stop worrying about it.

 

Exactly the write up I was looking forward to seeing about the wakeswitchs setup! Thanks for posting so quickly!  

[wkuwake]

On 8/14/2022 at 9:05 PM, RyanB said:

Sorry, but I hate it when people try to give Medallion (or Malibu for that matter) a pass on this. 

I don’t believe that I’m at all insinuating that anyone should be giving Malibu/medallion a pass. However it’s beyond clear Malibu and Medallion do not intend to fix this issue for owners just as they have a long history of abandoning bad electronics on other generation boats though this is one of their worst screw ups.

I was just trying to suggest someone who is a specialist in screen delamination repair who is willing to take a look at it. someone who will help the owners here - not provide a pass for Malibu. 

[wkuwake]

On 8/14/2022 at 8:20 PM, braindamage said:

If your friend is so great, then ask members to send him some and put your money where your mouth is.

That is exactly what I had originally posted several pages back looking for someone to send him a screen. 🤷‍♂️
 

Then someone had asked for an update on progress and I was updating that no one had sent one in yet for him to work on. 

[RyanB]

[JLT3]

That is cue.  I sent mine back for R3 and it arrived to him Monday.  Hopeful this next round works and we can all put this behind us.  I will say I love the quality of my boat except for this screen problem.  I added the Evo tabs and do not see myself getting rid of this one anytime soon.  I will admit this MTC screen issue and the way it has been handled by Medallion and Malibu will cause me to look at other brands when the time comes.  Sad to say as I have had multiple Malibu boats to date.  Hopefully this one can last quite a bit longer.  I only have 290 hours on it and 3 MTC later…

[Sharpag01]

That picture above in cues post is my current screen and its gotten way worse than that since I sent that photo to him.  

[windy1]

I just herd replacement touch screens are backordered until late Feb 23

[COOP]

12 minutes ago, windy1 said:

I just herd replacement touch screens are backordered until late Feb 23

You can bet when they are back in stock the price will have gone up again.

[TechConnection]

Anyone want to sell me their old delaminated unit? I'd like to see for myself the impossible glue and unfixable unit.

This looks like the exact same issue dodge has and I've done several of them. 

Only difference I could see is if the glue is somehow damaging a controller when it leaks out. 

[7bMalibu]

I feel like someone should be able to build an app that could control all the functions on the touchscreen. Then you could just replace an iPad mini (or Android) whenever it broke for a few hundred bucks.

[oldjeep]

1 minute ago, 7bMalibu said:

I feel like someone should be able to build an app that could control all the functions on the touchscreen. Then you could just replace an iPad mini (or Android) whenever it broke for a few hundred bucks.

The app is the easy piece, you need the physical interface to the switches and level indicators.   There are any number of small PLC's with built in touch screens that could do the job, but once you tally up the number of analog inputs and digital outputs you need, the price gets pretty high.

[Vr66kyber]

Couldn’t LOCA glue be introduced into the void and cured with a U.V. Light? I haven’t done it myself but just watched videos of it being performed on phones. My MTC has had perimeter delamination since I bought it two years ago, but only now the SWITCH button won’t work…

[TechConnection]

14 hours ago, Vr66kyber said:

Couldn’t LOCA glue be introduced into the void and cured with a U.V. Light? I haven’t done it myself but just watched videos of it being performed on phones. My MTC has had perimeter delamination since I bought it two years ago, but only now the SWITCH button won’t work…

Loca won't stand up to the heat the touch screen will see. I've tried it before on Dodge units. Ends up separating. Doesn't bleed but gets air bubbles. 

 

OCA is the way to go here. Plastic sheet with strong adhesive on both sides. 

[JMaddogT]

On 8/21/2022 at 8:25 PM, TechConnection said:

Anyone want to sell me their old delaminated unit? I'd like to see for myself the impossible glue and unfixable unit.

This looks like the exact same issue dodge has and I've done several of them. 

Only difference I could see is if the glue is somehow damaging a controller when it leaks out. 

I feel like we all have plenty of unusable screens, if I had one I would donate it. Can someone please support @TechConnection in the pursuit of finally finding a solution. I know @cuescreensis working on it to but we should working together to get this accomplished. 

[Sabbathdaydelight]

On 8/22/2022 at 2:38 PM, oldjeep said:

The app is the easy piece, you need the physical interface to the switches and level indicators.   There are any number of small PLC's with built in touch screens that could do the job, but once you tally up the number of analog inputs and digital outputs you need, the price gets pretty high.

Would it be an option to use an app along with in line smart switches for each item you want to control (blower, heater, surf gates, wedge, lights)?  I have installed a bunch of these in my house…

[oldjeep]

19 minutes ago, Sabbathdaydelight said:

Would it be an option to use an app along with in line smart switches for each item you want to control (blower, heater, surf gates, wedge, lights)?  I have installed a bunch of these in my house…

Suppose anything is possible if they are 12VDC devices.  I'd personally not use something designed to turn your porch light on for something that I cared if it malfunctioned.

[audiofn]

New to the forum and new to a 2012 23 LSV with this issue.  I own a home automation company.  We program stuff like this all the time.  If I could use my home stuff I could easily do this with some of the gear I sell.  The problem is it is 120 volt and a little bulky.  I will do some research.  Maybe I can work with the guy that makes the switch solution and come up with a touch panel solution.  Can't guarantee anything and I am a little swamped with work but maybe I can figure something out.  I am hoping that the other solutions pan out.  For now I will get the switches but you do loose some control so I would like to get the touch panel back.

[JMaddogT]

Looks like @cues might be making some progress. I noticed the website was updated in the past few weeks with more info rand also is starting to have a few options of repair when he pulls the trigger. 

DIY - $1600

Mail in - $2000

https://www.mtcscreens.com/store

 

@cues- any update you can share or timeline?

 

 

[audiofn]

If the solution fixes the screen for a long time that is a small price to pay IMO.  While I wish it was cheaper it is far better then a new one from Malibu and if he uses better hardware then it is a win win.  I had reached out to him to see if he had any new timelines and got no response back.  I will try again and update with what ever info I get.

 

[obski]

I replaced my delaminating MTC with the Wakeswitches console.  I have been worrying that I could get stuck out on the water, especially since my boat did not have a backup keyed ignition (2011 VTX).

The installation was very straight forward and Chris was great to work with.  My year boat had the MTC mounted from the rear, so he had to make modifications in the console panel to account for that, and he also had to incorporate a switch for the heater.  The hardest part of the install for me was adding the keyed ignition.  Chris was very patient with me as I fumbled around trying to identify where to add the ignition wire by the engine.  Everything seems to work, though I haven't had the boat out on the water yet.  I was happy to find out in my install that I didn't need to leave my MTC hooked up under the dash. I do not get a 'loss of CAN signal' warning displayed on the center screen when the ignition is active.  The metal bracket that was used to mount the MTC was too shallow to accommodate the new console, so I cut off the ends to use as back support on the console.

All in all, I am very happy with this change and with the service provided by Chris.  I will be having a markedly increased peace of mind out on the river now.  That is worth a lot to me.

 

Edited September 17, 2022 by obski

[cuescreens]

Greetings,all!

I am back finally with good news. It has taken nearly 2 years but a solution has been validated. At the 1 yard line now. Per TOU for TMC, I cannot discuss links or commercial details, but there is more information on the deal street post. Ronnie will link the Deal Street post for direct viewing more photos and info in this thread.

However, I can discuss the process, design methodology from an engineering perspective. 

This final design does NOT use the OE design LOCA glue, rather the superior bonding method of a custom spec VHB tape to a brand new bespoke digitizer and LCD panel. Meaning- it shouldn't fail again regardless of temperature or UV exposure. 

Custom spec being needed to address the salt water resistance, high UV, vibration, sunlight direct viewing, and bonding which is not available on off the shelf materials.

A new bespoke digitizer and LCD panel were sourced for this project. The proper size, material, glare resistance, thickness and of course electrical resistance values were critical to the design. It took 4 unique iterations of trial and error to get to this point.

The components are bonded under high pressure and temperature at the factory, then sent to me, where I can apply them to the original MTC unit after preparation and removal of the old panel. This way there is no programming or versioning issues.

I am very familiar with the Chrysler LA084X01 issues which appear similar on the surface, but are unique here due to the marine environment, which require more robust materials.

On top of that- an air gap is permissible on that design, as it doesn't have the double ghost reflection that we see here. It has to deal with the distance from the LCD face to the distance of the housing lip and direct sunlight viewing. 

The requirements were as follows:

1. The solution must be a lower cost than the OEM part.
2. The solution must be permanent and fix the OEM design flaw.
3. The solution must allow for all OEM functions.
4. The solution must provide OEM or better brightness, clarity, anti glare and appearance.

More photos attached. Feel free to post any questions. I am an an Engineer at heart and find a lot of gratification in this type of work and discussion.

EDIT by Admin: Link to cuescreen's website here.

 

[mtagher]

👋

[saxton15]

[bcoppess23]

Good work!!